P.E.I. hopes to sell curriculum to Egypt

Memorandum of understanding signed with Istanbul university

Premier Robert Ghiz has just completed a trade mission to Egypt, Turkey and Britain, with one of the highlights being progress on a deal to sell the province's kindergarten to grade 12 curriculum.

Robert Ghiz says he was fortunate to be on the trade mission with the UPEI president, who is originally from Egypt. (CBC)

Speaking from London's Heathrow Airport before heading home, Ghiz said the province is working on a deal to offer P.E.I.'s curriculum to a school opening in Egypt. UPEI president Alaa Abd-El-Aziz, who is originally from Egypt, was also on the trip for the discussions.

"We end up making a little bit of money off of [the curriculum] and it also allows those individuals to become familiar with Prince Edward Island and it could lead to them coming to Prince Edward Island for post-secondary education," said Ghiz.

"We are fortunate that the president of the university is from Egypt and has strong ties there. Obviously that's one of the main reasons why we had the good working relationship with different individuals in Egypt."

Abd-El-Aziz was able to sign a memorandum of understanding with a university in Istanbul that offers programs mostly in English. The agreement will look at having some of the English language training provided on P.E.I.

The trip also involved discussion about the Island's aerospace industry. Talks are underway with companies in Britain and Turkey interested in either coming to P.E.I. or doing business with Island aerospace companies.

Egypt and Turkey were both in the news while the premier was there, with riots in Egypt and an embassy bombing in Turkey.